Avast ye! Learn the ways to steer clear of this treacherous Facebook Market scam, me hearties!
2023-09-11
Avast ye! The scurvy cyber scoundrels be brewin' up fresh tricks to plunder Facebook users on the Marketplace. Fear not, mateys! 'Tis Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson who shall unravel their dastardly deeds and show ye how to stay safe.
Scammers are constantly devising new ways to trick and steal from unsuspecting victims. In this humorous yet cautionary tale, Diane from Logansport, Indiana shares her experience with a prevalent scam on Facebook Marketplace. Despite being a smart individual, Diane almost fell victim to the scam. She noticed that the scammers on Facebook Marketplace would immediately inquire about valuable items, using profile pictures of seemingly innocent individuals. They often have very few friends and joined Facebook recently, raising suspicions. Diane wisely refused to give them her phone number or call the number they provided. She also noticed that their profiles lacked local information. This serves as a warning for those using Facebook Marketplace, as scammers continue to target users on the platform.The scammers on Facebook Marketplace take advantage of the fact that buyers and sellers often don't know each other personally. The verification system is limited, leaving users vulnerable to scams. The scammers pose as local buyers and immediately ask for the seller's phone number and confirmation of identity. By texting a code to the scammer, the victim unknowingly gives them access to their online accounts, including email, social media, and banking. This can lead to identity theft and financial loss. It is important to never share verification codes and report suspicious messages as spam.
To avoid falling for these scams, it is advisable to be cautious of profiles with few friends, pictures, or posts. Asking the person about local information and checking their grammar and spelling can also help identify scammers. It is important to keep discussions on Facebook Marketplace and avoid sharing personal information or using gift cards as payment. Meeting in a public place and being mindful of phishing scams can further protect users. Antivirus protection and identity theft protection services are also recommended. Facebook provides a Help Center page to recognize and report scams.
In conclusion, users of Facebook Marketplace should remain vigilant and take precautions to avoid falling victim to scams. Trusting instincts, being careful with personal information, and reporting suspicious activity are key steps in protecting oneself from scammers.